oy gevalt

English

Alternative forms

• oy gewalt

Etymology

Etymology tree

Yiddish אוי געוואַלט (oy gevalt)bor.

English oy gevalt

Borrowed from Yiddish אוי געוואַלט (oy gevalt).

Interjection

oy gevalt

1. oh my God
2. uh-oh

   Synonym: oy vey

3. enough already

Usage notes

The expression is usually one of worry at the realization of negative consequences or the recognition of something that is adverse; see German Gewalt.